Football shorts: Anelka ready to quit Chelsea

French striker ready to explore his options but Andre Villas-Boas is keen to keep him with Torres misfiring and Drogba turning 34

Anelka, whose contract expires at the end of the season, may return to Paris (Tony Marshall)

Nicolas Anelka plans to quit Stamford Bridge when his contract expires next
summer. The 32-year-old, Chelsea’s top scorer last season, has been asked to
stay by manager Andre Villas-Boas but the Frenchman is thought to be keen to
explore his options. Wealthy Paris Saint-Germain are interested in signing
him for a third time. Anelka is also likely to attract other lucrative
offers and will be entitled to talk to clubs in January. Keeping Anelka is
desirable with Fernando Torres, Chelsea’s record £50m signing, struggling in
front of goal and Didier Drogba turning 34 next March. Villas-Boas is
already looking to youth, promoting Daniel Sturridge, 22, in the pecking
order while calling for big clubs to be allowed to play ‘B’ teams up to
Championship level, as they do in Spain, to give younger players valuable
experience.